Headlight bulb replacement

[davet]

Hi guys, new member with first post, hoping for some help please.

 

I have an 03 plate alphard 3.0 MZ which I have had 7 years and which I love. My near side headlight bulb has gone (not high beam) so I need to replace it. I have a manual which says those bulbs which have an asterisk (and this is one) have to be changed by a toyota dealer, which came as a surprise.

 

From looking on the forum I see that those with "intelligent AFS" need bulb D2S 35W whereas those without need D2R 35W.

 

Can anyone please tell me how I know whether mine has Intelligent AFS or not, where I would get the correct bulb and how I would fit it? Is it an easy job and are there any links to technical guides or a youtube video please?

 

Many thanks

 

Davet  

[Rojie]

8 minutes ago, davet said:

Hi guys, new member with first post, hoping for some help please.

 

I have an 03 plate alphard 3.0 MZ which I have had 7 years and which I love. My near side headlight bulb has gone (not high beam) so I need to replace it. I have a manual which says those bulbs which have an asterisk (and this is one) have to be changed by a toyota dealer, which came as a surprise.

 

From looking on the forum I see that those with "intelligent AFS" need bulb D2S 35W whereas those without need D2R 35W.

 

Can anyone please tell me how I know whether mine has Intelligent AFS or not, where I would get the correct bulb and how I would fit it? Is it an easy job and are there any links to technical guides or a youtube video please?

 

Many thanks

 

Davet  

 

Hello Dave,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

If you have AFS, I believe, there is an on/off button somewhere in the switch cluster.

[davet]

Hi Roger, thanks for your reply.

 

Sorry to be dense but what is the switch cluster?

 

Thanks

[Rojie]

3 minutes ago, davet said:

Hi Roger, thanks for your reply.

 

Sorry to be dense but what is the switch cluster?

 

Thanks

 

A bank of switches each side of the steering wheel in the dash panel.

By the ignition switch, second from left.

[davet]

I've established I don't have AFS so I think the bulbs I need are D2R 35W.  Do I replace with xenon or not?  I'm not aware that the existing bulbs are xenon.

 

Does it make any difference?

 

Thanks again.

[pipsyp]

D2R bulbs are Xenons.  The R denotes use with reflector type headlamps which yours will be.  D2S are for use in Projector style lamps.

 

Your car is pre facelift, not 100% certain but pretty sure AFS only came on facelift cars from 2005 onwards.  You can tell AFS equipped vehicles as they have projector style (glass lens that the bulb sits behind) dipped beams.

 

Again may be the case that very low grade/spec Alphards may have come with halogen headlamps, but I've personally never seen one without Xenons of some kind.

 

Think they are easy enough to fit, but may be a bit less space behind the bulkhead on the 3.0 (I have a 2.4 so is quite a bit of space).  Just be careful not to touch the bulb glass when installing, also make sure that the ignition is off and the lights are not turned on.  Better still disconnect the battery and leave the vehicle a while before doing so if you have the confidence to do so. 

 

The ballasts on Xenon lights 'ignite' the bulbs by supplying them with 10's of thousands of volts so getting it wrong whilst there is charge in the ballasts can be very dangerous.  If in doubt best to leave it to a professional (take it to a local trusted garage or worst case Halfords).

Edited January 8 by pipsyp

[davet]

That's really helpful thanks. My alphard has a high spec (theatre sound, powered curtains etc) but is 2003 so I'm confident it doesn't have AFS.

 

In view of what you say I think I'll take it to halfords as my preferred garage is a fair distance and always very busy.

 

I appreciate your help.